Mammal. House cats are descendents of wild cats originally from Africa and southwestern Asia. They have excellent senses of smell and hearing. By rotating their ears, cats can quickly find the source of a sound. They can even hear ultrasonic noises made by some rodents. Their whiskers are highly sensitive to touch and help cats figure out if they can fit into a tight spot. Their purr is heard when a cat is content but also sometimes when angry or upset. They also communicate with odors, rubbing their scent glands against people and objects to mark them. Cats usually range in size from 2 to 9 kg (4 to 20 lb), sometimes heavier.

Scientific
Name

Lifespan

Felis catus

12-15 years

Diet

Carnivore. House cats eat what their humans feed them. Feral cats prey on small animals.

Predators and Threats

Their biggest threat is traffic. Other threats are homelessness, poisons, dogs, and wildlife.

Habitat

As pets, they are found throughout the world in all kinds of habitats and homes.